Dorothy Roche (1928-2021) was one of the most decorated players in Australian bowls history, with multiple international accolades to her name. Australian cap number 27, Roche represented the green and gold between 1985 and 1993 at several international events, including World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Asia Pacific Games.
A three-time World Champion (Melbourne 1985 fours, Auckland 1988 triples and fours) and skip of the 1990 Commonwealth Games gold medal fours lineup, Roche’s record matches up against the best on the world stage. She became Australia’s oldest gold medal winner with her success at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games at the age of 61 years and 10 months.
A late-comer to the sport, Roche was nearly 50 before taking up competitive bowls in 1975. In 1979, she won the Champion of Champions singles competition and the Alfa Romeo Sport-Star of the Year, while a round-robin match in 1984 where she and Merle Richardson defeated the sport’s leading male players, including world champion David Bryant, ranked high among her personal achievements.
Following on from her Commonwealth Games success, in 1990 she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to lawn bowls.
Record:
- Commonwealth Games: ’90 (fours gold)
- World Bowls Championships: ’85 (triples gold), ’85 (fours silver), ’88 (triples gold), ’88 (fours gold)
- Asia Pacific gold: ’93 (triples)
